Injury list clearing for Wanderers

BOLTON'S vast training ground on the outskirts of Chorley has been that bit busier this week. Youri Djorkaeff was back after a month's absence recovering from a hamstring injury but, more importantly, Florent Laville and Ricardo Gardner were there as well stepping up their recoveries from cruciate ligament operations.

BOLTON'S vast training ground on the outskirts of Chorley has been that bit busier this week.

Youri Djorkaeff was back after a month's absence recovering from a hamstring injury but, more importantly, Florent Laville and Ricardo Gardner were there as well stepping up their recoveries from cruciate ligament operations.

Laville, injured in the home game against Middlesbrough last September, looks certain to get a game this season.

Gardner certainly won't after suffering his injury in the Reebok game with Manchester United on January 7.

But he is making a fine recovery since his operation at the Steadman clinic in Colorado which made its name rebuilding knees for injured skiers.

Gardner has also had a week at home in Jamaica working in the sun with strength and conditioning coach Mark Howard.

Coach Phil Brown said: "It's been a pleasure to be at the training ground this week just to see Flo and Ricardo out there again.

"Laville is nearly there in terms of full-time training. Then he will need a couple of reserve games before he gets anywhere near the first team.

"Ricardo is back training on the grass instead of being in the gym and doing rehab work.

"It's a good sign that he is not too far off but how far we can't predict."

Bolton striker Kevin Davies, who has become such a big favourite with the fans, has agreed a one-year contract extension with the Lancashire outfit.

The former Blackburn and Southampton front-man agreed a short-term deal with the Trotters at the start of the season after his deal with the Saints expired.

And his performances were sufficiently impressive to persuade Sam Allardyce to extend the deal until the end of the current campaign.

Bolton this week confirmed they had taken up an option to keep Davies at the club until 2005, the first sign Allardyce is planning for a third successive season in the Premiership.